Mask.



R. L. WELCH.

MASK.

APPLICATION FILED MAYI8.1915.

Patented Feb. 22,1916.

e W Q 1M UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ROBERT L. WELCH, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO A. G. SPALDING & 3305., A CORPORATION OF'NEW JERSEY.

MASIE.

.so as to thoroughly sustain all possible strain, particularly about the center open- Ihe invention also relates to the details of construction hereinafter set forth.

In the acompanying drawings Figure 1 is a side elevation, and Fig. 2 a front view of the mask embodying my improvement, while Fig. 3 is a detail.

In the main, the mask is of ordinary type, made up of a main frame a from which two semicircular cross wires extend, as at b, b, and integral with or independent of these wires there are protruding sections extending rearwardly of the frame a, as shown at c, and against these theeushion section d is braced, being suitably secured in position by lacing. From the cross sections 6, b, the usual network of wires extend downwardly and upwardly, and the main frame a is strengthened by approximately parallel sections 6 secured at top and bottom to the main section a, but running parallel therewith through their main extent, and in connection with crossing wires.

My main object is to securely brace the mask at the arch of the wires 6, b, which border the eye opening in the mask, as I have found that the ordinary network of wires extending longitudinally and crosswise are not sufficient to withstand all the strain to which these masks are subjected, and I therefore have arranged a very simple construction which most effectually cooperates with the rest of the construction to positively brace the crossing wires at the pointwhere most of the strain comes and Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed May 18, 1915. Serial No. 28,882.

where these Wires are weakest, namely: directly 1n the center. To attain this object I I take a section of wire f and bend it approximately into V-shape, fastening the apex of the V to the wire 6 by a suitable confining device, the ends of the wire 7 being suitably secured to the main frame a. The wire 7 not only thus presents practically two straight bracing rods, extending from the main frame to the center arch, but they are slightly inclined upward so as to add to the bracing effect. I strengthen the lower arch in exactly the same way except that the w1re f forming the stays or braces inclines downwardly slightly.

In order to give the greatest security .to the connection between the bracing wire and the arch, I use a sheet metal clip 9 one end of which embraces the apex of the brace member f, and is curved under the arch member I), while two ears of this clip h encircle the diverging wire sections z, the lower ends of which are also embraced by the clip. The clip is given, as shown in the drawing, a curved form, and adds very materially to the strength of the entire construction. The lower connection is "made by a like clip in like manner, except that by therefrom, of cantaliver bracing sections 7 extending fromothe crown of the arch to opposite sides of the main frame in straight lines and inside the wires of the mask proper, substantially as described.

2. In a baseball mask, a main frame, wire sections extending therefrom. including together, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof, I aflix my signature in presence of two witner'ses.

ROBERT L. WELCH.

Witnesses C. S LINCOLN, A. E. MEIER. 

